Reviews (2)

Deserves zero stars.
What a ... I wish I had read reviews about the DVD first. I just purchased this ... in a 2-pack for one dollar at Sam Goody (the second was a Jeff Fahey flick...don't ask). That means this film cost me 50 cents and I still got taken. First of all, warning about 2-pack DVD's marked "Value Priced Action Movies." Mine came wrapped in a carboard sleeve so you couldn't see the actual DVD cases. My DVD case for THE SWISS CONSPIRACY was a "second" with the title missing from the front and a thumbnail of the cover superimposed where it shouldn't have been. Instead of rejecting and replacing the sleeve (or DVD) they just repackaged it in a two-pack with a cardboard cover! For fifty cents I thought I could at least frame the sleeve like a mini-poster and use the disc as a frisbee, but nooooooo........even the disc broke after I flung it onto the freeway. Regarding the dreck within....it was edited for TV!! Repeat...edited for TV you ... ... What ... is wrong with Simitar, those major ... I've seen that once before with a film called THE KINGFISHER CAPER and now here we go again ... ...

Only If You Have to Have the Stars
This dvd would be an okay runthrough of 60's drek if not for the jerky editing and the bleeped words. The film was apparently obtained from a tv distribution company which has bleeped out some of the words for a tv showing. It may not bother all, but I find it maddening. None of the stars is at their best here. In fact, I've never seen John Saxon this bad. I wish more care had been taken with the release--as it is, I keep wanting to pitch my copy out. Simitar has done much, much better elsewhere. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Stands with the Best
Featuring a no-name cast, a ludicrous title, and coming at the height of 50's camp, it's understandable how this little gem got lost in the shuffle. Nevertheless, the story continues to unnerve after all these years, reaching down to deepest fears about ordinary processes gone suddenly awry. Seldom has middle-class complascency been so eerily attacked as when we witness the husband's role and breadwinner's status shrink slowly out of sight amid an Ozzie and Harriet living-room. Cult director Jack Arnold makes the most of a modest budget, deploying the special effects in highly suspenseful fashion. Here the effects mean everything as Robert Scott Carey's descent into ever smaller worlds exposes him to fresh terrors among the commonplace, and it's truly odd to transition from normal surroundings into a subterranean world at the same time the former becomes alien to both him and us. Other sci-fi classics of the period threatened us with external enemies to which the military was an appropriate response. A few threatened internally with a loss of personal identity. This movie, I believe, is the only one to threaten with a loss of significance. It's horrifying to think that physical size is more important to our evaluations than simple humanity. Yet this is what we experience as Carey grows ever smaller and less significant to the normal sized world. We are glad when the wife is finally rid of him. Like Hitchcock, this film confronts us with our own deeper and less desirable emotions.

The battle with the spider is an epic one, showcasing effects that continue to impress, now as then.The central performances are quite good, with Randy Stuart's anguished wife a standout. However, Grant Williams as Carey, deserves special mention. He brings just the right combination of grit and melancholy to a role that demands equal parts of both. Judging from other performances in a brief career, the melancholy came natually to one of the most blandly handsome faces in the business. The scene that lingers for me is of Carey's running through a gantlet of lawn sprays, having learned that the process has started again and knowing that the sprays can soon drown him. Though less well known than other 50's classics such as The Thing or Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Arnold's film (minus the rhapsodic ending) is at least their equal and ranks with the very best of any period.

Sci-Fi Classic
When I was about to see this first time around I thaught it would be childish and a little boring but how wrong I was.

This movie's about a buisness man who gets shrunk by a mysterious radioactive myst. Everyday he gets smaller and smaller and his relationship with his family goes on the rocks and finds everyday household objects a struggle. Firstly it's just embrasment of walking down the street and then it turns much worse from his cat to a spider.

At the start it's a little boring as not a lot happens, but it starts to get really intresting when he gets chased by his cat into the celler.

The special effects are stunning for its era and the storyline gets you involved.

A part where the effects really shine is when there's a flood in the celler and Scotts brother and his wife come downstairs. They persume Scotts dead. Scott trys to get his brothers attention when he comes downstairs. He almost steps on his own brother in the process and the scale between the shoe and Scott's pretty stunning.

If you can see this film, do. It's well worth watching especially the later half

Gripping Journey Into A Frightening Oversized World
"The Incredible Shrinking Man", is one of the great Sci Fi movie titles from the 1950's thats not as well remembered as other landmark efforts of that time like "The Thing From Another World". That is unfortunate as here we have a really ground breaking effort that not only boasts stunning special effects, but also restrained performances and an interesting premise that is handled with integrity by director and cast. The film of course will always be talked about for the innovative and at times quite frightening process by which the main character shrinks away to practically nothing. Equally amazing in my mind after a viewing of "The Incredible Shrinking Man", is how this film gives us a view of the "normal", everyday world suddenly becoming a dangerous and potentially lethal environment where everyday things like the family pet or a spider in the basement take on life threatening personas.

The story starts out innocently enough with young couple Scott and Louise Carey (Grant Williams and Randy Stuart), who are spending some time on Scott's brother's boat. While Louise is below getting some refreshments Scott notices a strange mist approaching the boat and before he can take cover it envelopes the whole boat and he is covered in a strange glittery substance. It is just passed off as some unexplained happening and then the story jumps ahead six months to when strange developments start to occur. One morning Scott notices that his shirt seems too big for him and blames it on the cleaners. However it is not long before many other strange things begin to happen that arouse real fears in him. Going to his local doctor (William Schallert), Scott gets a clean bill of health and Louise feels that it is simply a lack of proper diet that is effecting her husband. To be sure however Scott is referred to a specialist Dr. Silver (Raymond Bailey), who gauges that Scott is actually loosing height over a number of weeks of examination and tests. The source of this strange occurance is narrowed down to the now forgotten glittery mist on the boat which further testing reveals to be some sort of radioactive body that causes the body to shrink. Dr. Silver injects Scott with a serum that will hopefully stop the shrinking process. Meanwhile the media have latched onto the newsworthy story of the "incredible shrinking man" and Scott and Louise become prisoners in their own home as curious busybodies begin making their life a misery. Scott is replaced in his employment which makes it dificult to live and causes further friction between he and Louise. Soon Scott's shrinking begins again and he experiences a rapid and terrifying drop in size. Back at the house Scott is reduced to living in a doll's house and one day when Louise by mistake leaves the door open and the family cat gets inside a new nightmare begins as Scott is hunted by the now "Giant", cat and after falling into the cellar having to face terrors like a hungry "Giant Spider". Everything in Scott's existence now holds unknown terrors and after Louise believes that Scott has been eaten by the cat he is now all alone with no assistance from anyone. After facing all of these terrors in his own home Scott does make his escape and now too small to be detected by any human beings begins a new existence where survival is his sole aim.

The story of "The Incredible Shrinking Man", may read like your usual sensationalist 1950's science fiction however it is far from that. It presents a quite thought provoking idea that we could all possibly imagine ourselves in. Noticeably absent in this film are the usual 1950's invading aliens or oversized creatures. Instead here the really frightening elements in the story are the simple household features that we encounter everyday like the family cat, a stray spider in the room or a leak in a water heater. Because of the shrinking of the main character these elements take on quite terrifying proportions. Director Jack Arnold wisely stays away from the more sensational potential of this story and in his direction even makes the scene where Scott's wedding ring rolls off his finger a seemingly frightening occurence. The performances here are first class and Grant Williams does a sterling job as the young husband who finds himself fighting for survival in his own home. His fear mixed with developing personal strength intent on survival makes for a great performance. Randy Stuart as wife Louise also deserves special mention as she delivers a well thought out performance as the first disbelieving wife who has to take over the leader role in the household as her husband literally shrinks before her eyes. The cast also features supporting performances from future comedy series regulars in Raymond Bailey and William Schallert who will always be rembered for their work in "The Beverly Hillbillies", and "The Patty Duke Show", respectively. "The Incredible Shrinking Man", contains many memorable scenes that boast special effects achievements that even today still cause amazement. Foremost among them of course are Scott's ongoing battle with the ferocious spider in the celler and his terrifying flight from the clutches of the family cat which is now 10 times his size. Those scenes present images that have rightly gone down into Science Fiction folklore.

Despite the films almost surreal ending which plays almost like a sermon delivered by Grant Williams the rest of the film dates amazing well despite the passage of over 47 years. Even the introduction of computer technology to achieve incredible special effects in my belief has not dulled the sheer genius evident throughtout this gripping sci fi tale. It certainly is one of my favourites of these efforts in the 1950's and deserves to be better remembered. For a thrilling piece of sci fi action from the golden era of these movies in the 1950's you can't get better than Jack Arnold's "The Incredible Shrinking Man".

THE GREATEST SCI-FI/FANTASY FILM OF ALL TIME!!
THIS MOVIE IS VERY IMPRESSIVE IN THE SPECIAL EFFECTS DEPARTMENT, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT IT WAS RELEASED IN 1957!!
FROM LOOKING AT THIS MOVIE, YOU'D NEVER THINK THAT IT'S THAT OLD!!
IT HAS AN OLD-MOVIE QUALITY TO IT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IN TODAY'S SOCIETY, MOVIES LIKE THIS DON'T EXIST ANYMORE!!
THE ACTING IS QUITE IMPRESSIVE AND THE BELIEVABILITY FACTOR IS QUITE CONVINCING.
IT IS A FANTASY FILM, HOWEVER DUE TO THE GREAT ACTING AND FANTSTIC EFFECTS AND SETS, WE CAN'T HELP BUT BELIEVE WHAT'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF US.
THIS IS MOST DEFINETELY THE GREATEST SCI-FI/FANTASY FILM OF THE 50'S AND 60'S BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT IT IS SO MUCH MORE BELIEVABLE THAN IT'S COMPETITION!!
SEE THIS CLASSIC AS SOON AS YOU CAN!! ENJOY!!

HONEY THEY SHRUNK YOUR MAN .
If you ever applied for an overdraft, you'll know how THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN feels . The poor guy only wants some sun and sugar , alone with his honey ,out at sea . When he gets sprayed with a strange mist , plus a letter with a key informing him that he's in line for a large cash amount, if he buys a toaster . Back home he starts to notice suttle differences in him self . His shirts are too big , his slippers fall off his feet , he can no longer reach his secret magazines on top of the wardrobe . At first he puts it all down to a head cold , but when he has to wear high heals ( and he's not at the club ] to kiss his wife . He decides to see the doc . At first the non addictive antidepressants appear to do the trick , but unfortunately its a brief respite , and all too soon he's falling down the pot again . His shrinking continues until he is forced to move in with a plastic doll , this is fine until her G I JOE boyfriend ,beats the tar out of him .Later he is attacked by a cat , a spider ,and a very nasty letter from the electric company . Smaller and smaller until he as no alternative , but to wander in the great unknown . Earth, space , cleathorps ? who knows . ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Why isnt it available??
Why have the studios not cottoned onto the fact that fan's of this excellent TV series is in large demand. I've been looking for the videos and all sorts, there just not available here in the UK. Bring it out on DVD on all regions so I can get a one for my so desperate mum!! It'll make her day to own just on not alone a whole series or even all the episodes!!. The studios could make alot of money from its fans, we all want to own it! All you have to do is produce it and tell all the fan clubs including the UK one that Gale Gwent runs.
what an overall FANTASTIC programme...an absolute classic.

Put Beauty and the Beast TV on DVDs!
This show was so unusual in that it inspired fans to help others for charity, read more literature, listen to classical music, and also brought out hidden talents, ie writing, drawing, creativity! This is a show that definitely needs to be released on DVDs. Fans have worn out their tapes watching them over and over. We need our show to be put out on DVD! Vincent and Catherine demand it.

I LOVE this show. Please put every episode on dvd.
I love this show, and I hope they will put it on dvd. I hope they put every episode on dvd, instead of only first season like they did with the vhs tapes. If you like/love this show please vote to put it on dvd. They put so many dumb shows out, but not this great show. Why?? ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Mexico - - Take Me!!
This is the DVD I want Next Time.I can Remember Me on Saturday Nites during College in front of the tube watching Love Boat and Fantasy Island.I especially want to see the episode with Marion Ross and Andy Warholl.

LOVE EXCITING AND NEW,COME ABOARD WE'RE EXPECTING YOU!!!
Hey I know this show would be considered hoakey by today's standards, but nowadays it doesn't hurt to indulge in a little guilty pleasure like the Love Boat. I truly enjoyed the show's simple formula, boy meets girl, they fall in love, and by the end of the cruise everything works out. Wouldn't it be great if real life worked out so easily. It's even more fun watching this show in reruns, because you get to look back at all the celebrities who boarded the Pacific Princess (some more than others) hint hint Charro! I also enjoyed the special two-part episodes, like when Julie had her high school reunion, the time when real life designers guest-starred and had a major fashion show, and when Hollywood Legends (Ginger Rogers,Ann Miller,and Carol Channing)appeared in a musical spectacular!!!
It would be nice to include an on camera reunion with the original cast and see how they are doing now. I remember A&E did a really good biography on the show and maybe they could include that on the dvd. Anyways, I hope it doesn't take the studios too long to realize there are still alot of Love Boat fans and release the series on dvd!!! ... Read more